Adjustable applicator

ABSTRACT

An adjustable applicator comprising an application member comprising a first portion, a second portion and an end cap. The first portion comprises of a hollow core having a cavity and a plurality of application elements on an outer surface of the hollow core. The second portion comprises at least two flexible arms extending from a distal end of the first portion towards the end cap of the application member. The adjustable applicator is capable of being adjusted between a first configuration in which the at least two flexible arms of the second portion take up a convex shape and a second configuration in which the at least two flexible arms of the second portion are twisted.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C.§ 371, claiming the benefit of and priority to PCT Application No.PCT/US2018/018167, having an international filing date of Feb. 14, 2018,published as WO/2019/152191, which claims the benefit of and priority toIndian Patent Application Serial Number 201711005606, filed on Feb. 16,2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an adjustable applicatorfor applying a cosmetic or personal care composition, e.g. mascara toeyelashes or eyebrows. More particularly, the disclosure, relates to anapplicator that can be adjusted as per a user's convenience forapplication of a cosmetic or a care product.

BACKGROUND

Mascara, an important make-up accessory used to darken and defineeyelashes to accentuate the eyes, is difficult to apply because of thetarget area of application. The eyelashes offer a very small applicationarea, while being soft, flexible, delicate and in close proximity tovery sensitive eye tissue. Therefore, a mascara product would be likedby the consumers when a right kind of applicator is provided to them foreasy application as the overall consumer experience depends on both theproduct and on the applicator used to apply it.

Conventional mascara brushes are in the form of a generally cylindricalstraight rod carrying a plurality of bristles extending radiallyoutwardly from its outer surface. However, straight mascara brushes arenot thought by some people to be ideal for all purposes and curvedmascara brushes are also known. One applicator may be generally straightand have short, densely arrayed bristles and may be employed forapplying mascara to eyelashes to achieve a desired effect (e.g., tovolumize eyelashes). While another applicator may incorporate a bend andhave longer, less densely arrayed bristles for applying mascara toeyelashes to achieve an alternative desired effect (e.g., to separateand define eyelashes).

Curved mascara brushes permit contact of the brush with more eyelashesalong a correspondingly curved eyelid. However, the curved brush is moredifficult to use in the confines of the eye area, particularly thecorners of the eye where a straight brush works better. Another drawbackof a pre-curved brush is that it is not readily adjustable to conform toa particular user's eyelid curvature. In addition, the curvature of theupper and lower eyelids is rarely the same and a brush curved to fit theupper lid will not properly fit the lower lid. Adjustable mascarabrushes are known in the prior art. It is also known to provideadjustment of the angle of the brush or applicator relative to theapplicator wand or handle.

Thus, existing applicators have limited functionality and are notconducive to applying mascara to eyelashes using different techniquesand/or different orientations. Accordingly, there remains a need in theart for improved applicator systems that allow application of mascarausing different techniques and/or orientations to achieve multipledesired effects.

Therefore, there exists a need for an applicator that providesease-of-use as well as is modifiable to adapt to the shape requirementof the user.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally is an adjustable applicator employedfor application of a cosmetic or a care product such as for applicationof mascara, coloring strands of hair, for dental flossing or forapplying pharmaceuticals or cleaning agents. The use of the adjustableapplicator of the present disclosure for removal of make-up products isalso contemplated.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan adjustable applicator including an application member that can beadjusted for a user's convenience for application of a cosmetic or acare product.

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the adjustableapplicator extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises of anapplication member; a stem and a cap wherein the application member isconnected at a distal end of the stem and the cap is connected at aproximal end of the stem.

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the adjustableapplicator includes an actuator formed by an upper portion of the cap,which when actuated initiates a mechanism for progressive modificationin the shape of the application member.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the actuator is a dialerbut in other alternate embodiments, the dialer can be replaced byanother actuator selected from a group consisting of a slider, a pushbutton and the like which can be actuated using manual, mechanical,magnetic, electrical or any other suitable force.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the adjustable applicatorincludes a transmission member having a distal end and a proximal end.The distal end of the transmission member is connected at an end of theapplication member and the proximal end of the transmission member isconnected to a dialer of the adjustable applicator.

The dialer is rotated for rotating the transmission member about thelongitudinal axis to cause progressive modification in shape of theapplication member.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the application membercomprises a first portion, a second portion and an end cap.

The first portion comprises a hollow core having a cavity and aplurality of application elements on an outer surface of the hollowcore. Further, the first portion comprises a proximal end portion formedas a shank for stacking the application member at the distal end of thestem.

The second portion extends from a distal end of the first portion. Thesecond portion is more flexible as compared to the first portion.

The second portion comprises a proximal end and a distal end. Theproximal end of the second portion is in contact with the distal end ofthe first portion of the application member. The second portioncomprises at least two flexible arms extending from the distal end ofthe first portion towards the end cap of the application member with agap between the at least two flexible arms. Further, a plurality ofapplication elements are provided on an outer surface of each of the atleast two flexible arms and the end cap.

Further, the application member has a circular cross-section. However,the application member may have a shape selected from non-circular,oval, polygonal, rectangular shape etc.

The application elements are in the form of tines molded integrally onthe outer surfaces of the first portion, second portion and the end cap.However, it would not be beyond the scope of the present disclosure, ifthe application elements are in form of flocking of fibers, sponge,metal or any other material known in the art. In another example, theapplication elements may take the form of bristles attached to orpassing through a surface material or mesh of fibers.

Independently or in combination with the above, exemplary embodiments ofthe disclosure provide a cosmetic package for packaging and dispensing asubstance, for example, a cosmetic, comprising an adjustable applicatoras defined above. The device may comprise a receptacle and theadjustable applicator. The adjustable applicator in such a device maycomprise a cap, a stem having a cavity, and an application member.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the proximal end portionof the application member formed as a bristle free shank portion whichis fixedly and non-rotatably connected to the distal end of the stem.Further, the distal end of the application member in the form of the endcap is also fixedly and non-rotatably connected to the distal end of thetransmission member. For example, the transmission member and the endcap can be engaged by a snap fit. The transmission member has at leastone projection at its distal end which is fitted into correspondingly atleast one groove of the end cap so that the distal end/end cap of theapplication member is fixedly and non-rotatably connected to the distalend of the transmission member. However, it would not be beyond thescope of the present disclosure if alternate engagement means known inthe art are used. Similar fitment can be used to non-rotatably connectthe proximal end portion/shank portion of the application member and thedistal end of the stem.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the dialer is structuredin a closed-end cylindrical shape. The dialer further includes aninternal annular skirt projecting from an inner surface of a top wall ofthe dialer and the internal annular skirt extends towards thereceptacle. The internal annular skirt has a small outer diameter. Anannular groove is provided on an inner peripheral surface of a sidewallof the dialer for attaching the dialer to the sleeve of the cap. Thesleeve of the cap is attached with the dialer such that the sleeve isfree to rotate relative to the dialer via a snap-fit system comprisingthe annular groove of the dialer and a complementary annular protrudingportion of the sleeve. The dialer can thus be turned by the userrelative to the sleeve.

Further, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the internalannular skirt has a rectangular cross-section into which is fitted acorresponding rectangular shaped proximal end of a portion of thetransmission member so that the transmission member is non-rotatablewith respect to the dialer and is rotatable along with the dialer withrespect to the sleeve of the cap. Further, the transmission member isnot capable of moving axially with respect to the sleeve as there is noaxial space provided in the dialer for axial movement of thetransmission member.

Further according to an embodiment of the disclosure, for engaging thestem to the sleeve of the cap, an upper tubular portion of the stem hasa protruding portion on its outer surface which engages with acomplementary groove present on inner surface of the sleeve. On theinterfaces where the stem is joined to the sleeve of the cap, the stemand the sleeve of the cap both may have complementary longitudinalprotrusions and positioning longitudinal grooves (not shown) that engagewith each other for non-rotatably locking the stem and the sleevetogether. However, it is not beyond ambit of the present disclosure thatany other non-rotatable engagement known in the art may be employed forlocking any relative rotation between the stem and the sleeve.

Further according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the stem comprisesthe upper tubular portion, a downward skirt and an elongated hollowshaft. The threads are provided on the inner peripheral surface of thedownward skirt of the stem to attach the cap to an externally threadedneck of the container. With the cap so attached, the applicator head isimmersed in the product to be applied. The elongated hollow shaftextends beyond the neck in the receptacle. Preferably, the elongatedhollow shaft of the stem is disposed around at least a portion of thetransmission member so that the transmission member is rotatable withrespect to the shaft. In the embodiment illustrated, the shaft and thetransmission member have circular transverse cross-sections. However,the proximal portion of the transmission member has a rectangularcross-section. In other embodiments, the shaft and the transmissionmember may have non-circular transverse cross-sections throughout theirlength.

In the present embodiment, the stem further includes such features thatallow smooth rotation of the transmission member when the dialer isrotated with respect to the sleeve. For example, the transmission memberincludes two annular flanges which guide rotation of the transmissionmember with respect to the sleeve.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the application member canadopt at least two stable configurations that is to say a firstconfiguration and a second configuration.

In both the first configuration and the second configuration, theproximal end of the transmission member is in contact with the top wallof the dialer such that the transmission member cannot move in axialdirection with respect to the stem.

During assembly of the adjustable applicator, the application member isassembled with the stem, transmission member, sleeve and the dialer, insuch a way that the flexible arms of the second portion are slightlypulled towards the cap when the proximal end of the transmission membercontacts the top wall of the dialer, thus the flexible arms of thesecond portion become convex shaped. Thus, the second portion of theapplication member has a ball shape having convex arms with a gapbetween the convex arms. This shape corresponds to the first stableconfiguration of the application member. In other alternate embodiments,the flexible arms can be made into a convex shape directly duringmolding of the application member.

In the second configuration of the application member, the flexible armsof the second portion of the application member are twisted in a helicalshape with respect to the longitudinal axis of the application member.

In an alternate embodiment, in the second configuration, the firstportion of the application member may also be twisted slightly. In sucha case where both the first portion and the second portion are twistedin the second configuration, the ratio of twisted angle between thefirst portion and the second portion is the range of 1-10:99-90. Inother words, the first portion may also twist, but to a lesser extentthan that of the second portion.

Further, the adjustable applicator has the first configuration in closedposition of the cosmetic package. However, it would not be beyond thescope of the present invention, if the adjustable applicator has thesecond configuration in the closed position of the cosmetic package.

During use, when the adjustable applicator is removed from thecontainer, it has a first configuration. In the open position of thecosmetic package, when the dialer is rotated with respect to the sleeve,the transmission member rotates with respect to the shaft which causestwisting of the application member as explained above. When a suitableadjustment of the profile of the application member has been made itwill be retained while the application member is used. The adjustment isretained until the user intentionally rotates the dialer and the sleevewith respect to each other once again to achieve a different adjustment.

In order to transform the profile of the application member to a secondconfiguration, the dialer is rotated in a first direction and therotational movement of the dialer is converted into rotational movementof the transmission member fixedly connected within the inner skirt ofthe dialer. Therefore, the transmission member is now able to rotatewith respect to the shaft of the stem. As the transmission member isfixedly and non-rotatably connected to the distal end/end cap of theapplication member, the flexible arms of the second portion of theapplication member get twisted and compressed towards the transmissionmember and the application member is transformed to a secondconfiguration. The transmission member can be adjusted to variousrelative longitudinal positions with respect to the shaft depending ondegree of twisting, such that as adjustment is made, profile of theapplication member varies. Once the adjustment is made, it will beretained without any action by the user, until further adjustment isdesired and intentionally made.

Further, the user can rotate the dialer in the opposite direction torotate the transmission member in the opposite direction with respect tothe shaft of the stem. As the transmission member is rotated in theopposite direction, the flexible arms again take up the convex shape,and the application member is transformed again to the firstconfiguration.

The material suitable for forming the application member could be anyelastomeric polymer, nylon, sponge, metal, etc. which possess bothflexibility and elasticity. The materials suitable for forming thereceptacle could be polypropylene while the dialer, the sleeve, thetransmission member and the stem could be formed of acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene or any other suitable polymeric material. The materialof the transmission member could be any polymeric material like nylon,TPE, PP or could be a suitable metal. The stem may be formed ofpolyacetal or any other suitable polymeric material. The material forforming the wiper could be low-density polyethylene. The aforementionedmaterials for forming various parts of the package of the presentdisclosure are an example, however other suitable materials may also beused.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become clear from the following description of thepreferred embodiments when the same is read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a cosmetic package in closed positionaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the cosmetic package ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates exploded view of the cosmetic package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates first configuration of an adjustable applicator ofthe cosmetic package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5a illustrates a cross sectional view taken along axis A-A of theadjustable applicator shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5b illustrates a cross sectional view taken along axis B-B of theadjustable applicator shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the first configuration ofthe adjustable applicator shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 illustrates second configuration of an adjustable applicator ofthe cosmetic package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the second configuration ofthe adjustable applicator shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates enlarged perspective view of the first configurationof a portion of the adjustable applicator shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 10 illustrates enlarged perspective view of the secondconfiguration of a portion of the adjustable applicator shown in FIG. 7.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawingsillustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admitto other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cosmetic package 1 in closed position in accordancewith the present disclosure. The cosmetic package 1 includes anadjustable applicator which can be adjusted as per user's conveniencefor application of a product including a cosmetic or a care product.

The cosmetic package 1 having a longitudinal axis X-X, comprises anadjustable applicator 2 and a receptacle 3. The receptacle 3 and theadjustable applicator 2 are intended to be fastened to each other byscrewing. Alternatively, other methods of fastening the receptacle 3 andthe applicator 2 can be used. The receptacle 3 includes a neck 5extending along the longitudinal axis X-X, a shoulder 6, and an end wall7 forming a reservoir for a product P.

The adjustable applicator 2 includes a cap 4 suitable for closing thereceptacle 3, an application member 40 and a stem 30 having a cavity 32.The stem 30 may be connected to the application member 40 at one end andto the cap 4 at another end. The application member 40 is secured to thestem 30 and intended for being inserted in said receptacle 3 in order tobe loaded with the product P to be applied.

The neck 5 of the receptacle 3 is provided with an external thread 5 aintended for cooperating with a complementary thread 31 carried by thestem 30, allowing the receptacle 3 to be closed by screwing. For somecosmetic products, such as mascara or a lip gloss, it is preferable toprovide a wiper 8 positioned into the neck 5 of the receptacle 3 to wipeexcess product P from the adjustable applicator 2 as the adjustableapplicator 2 is withdrawn from the receptacle 3. The wiper 8 ispreferably made of an elastomeric plastic material.

The cap 4 comprises an upper portion comprising a dialer 10 and a lowerportion comprising a sleeve 20 connected to the dialer 10. According toother embodiments, the dialer 10 can be replaced by other actuatorselected from a group consisting of a slider, a push button and the likewhich can actuated using manual, mechanical, magnetic, electrical or anyother suitable force.

As shown in FIG. 2, the adjustable applicator 2 includes a transmissionmember 51 having a distal end 53 and a proximal end 52. The distal end53 of the transmission member 51 is connected at an end of theapplication member 40 and the proximal end 52 of the transmission member51 is connected to a dialer 10 of the adjustable applicator 2.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8, the dialer 10 is rotated for rotatingthe transmission member 51 about the longitudinal axis X-X of theadjustable applicator 2 to cause progressive modification in shape ofthe application member 40.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7-10, the application member 40 comprises afirst portion 42, a second portion 44 and an end cap 46. The firstportion 42 comprises of a hollow core having a cavity 45 and a pluralityof application elements 48 on an outer surface of the hollow core.Further, the first portion 42 comprises a proximal end portion formed asa shank 42 a for stacking the application member 40 at the distal end ofthe stem 30. The second portion extends from a distal end 42 b of thefirst portion 42. The second portion 44 is more flexible as compared tothe first portion 42.

The second portion 44 comprises a proximal end 44 a and a distal end 44b. The proximal end 44 a of the second portion 44 is in contact with thedistal end 42 b of the first portion 42 of the application member 40.The second portion 44 comprises at least two flexible arms 43 extendingfrom the distal end 42 b of the first portion 42 towards the end cap 46of the application member 40 with a gap 43 a between the at least twoflexible arms 43. Further, a plurality of application elements 48 areprovided on an outer surface of each of the at least two flexible arms43 and the end cap 46.

Further, in this example, the application member 40 has a circularcross-section. However, in other examples, the application member 40 mayhave a cross-section selected from non-circular, oval, polygonal,rectangular, etc.

The application elements 48 are in the form of tines molded integrallyon the outer surfaces of the first portion 42, second portion 44 and theend cap 46. However, it would not be beyond the scope of the presentdisclosure, if the application elements 48 are in form of flocking offibers, sponge, metal or any other material known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 8, the proximal end portion of theapplication member 40 formed as a bristle free shank portion 42 a isfixedly and non-rotatably connected to the distal end of the stem 30.Further, the distal end of the application member 40 in form of the endcap 46 is also fixedly and non-rotatably connected to the distal end 53of the transmission member 51. As specifically shown in FIG. 5b ,transmission member 51 and the end cap 46 are engaged by snap fit. Thetransmission member 51 has at least one projection 51 a at its distalend 53 which is fitted into corresponding at least one groove 46 a ofthe end cap 46 so that the distal end/end cap 46 of the applicationmember 40 is fixedly and non-rotatably connected to the distal end 53 ofthe transmission member 51. However, it would not be beyond the scope ofthe present disclosure if alternate engagement means known in the artare used. Similar fitment can be used to non-rotatably connect theproximal end portion/shank portion 42 a of the application member 40 andthe distal end of the stem 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8, the dialer 10 is structured in aclosed-end cylindrical shape. The dialer 10 further includes an internalannular skirt 16 projecting from an inner surface of a top wall of thedialer 10 and the internal annular skirt 16 extends towards thereceptacle 3. The internal annular skirt 16 has a small outer diameter.An annular groove 12 is provided on an inner peripheral surface of asidewall of the dialer 10 for attaching the dialer 10 to the sleeve 20of the cap 4. The sleeve 20 of the cap 4 is attached with the dialer 10such that the sleeve 20 is free to rotate relative to the dialer 10 viaa snap-fit system comprising the annular groove 12 of the dialer 10 anda complementary annular protruding portion 24 of the sleeve 20. Thedialer 10 can thus be turned by the user relative to the sleeve 20.

Further as shown in FIG. 5a , the internal annular skirt 16 has arectangular cross-section into which is fitted a correspondingrectangular shaped proximal end 52 of a portion of the transmissionmember 51 so that the transmission member 51 is non-rotatable withrespect to the dialer 10 and is rotatable along with the dialer 10 withrespect to the sleeve 20 of the cap 4. Further, the transmission member51 is not capable of moving axially with respect to the sleeve 20 asthere is no axial space provided in the dialer 10 for axial movement ofthe transmission member 51.

Further, as seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 8 for engaging the stem 30 to thesleeve 20 of the cap 4, an upper tubular portion 33 of the stem 30 has aprotruding portion 34 on its outer surface which engages with acomplementary groove 22 present on inner surface of the sleeve 20. Onthe interfaces where the stem 30 is joined to the sleeve 20 of the cap4, the stem 30 and the sleeve 20 of the cap 4 both may havecomplementary longitudinal protrusions and positioning longitudinalgrooves (not shown) that engage with each other for non-rotatablylocking the stem 30 and the sleeve 20 together. However, it is notbeyond ambit of the present disclosure that any other non-rotatableengagement known in the art may be employed for locking any relativerotation between the stem 30 and the sleeve 20.

Further, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stem 30 comprises the uppertubular portion 33, a downward skirt 36 and an elongated hollow shaft37. The threads 31 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of thedownward skirt 36 of the stem 30 to attach the cap 4 to an externallythreaded neck 5 of the container 3. With the cap 4 so attached, theapplication member 40 is immersed in the product P to be applied. Theelongated hollow shaft 37 extends beyond the neck 5 in the receptacle 3.Preferably, the elongated hollow shaft 37 of the stem 30 is disposedaround at least a portion of the transmission member 51 so that thetransmission member 51 is rotatable with respect to the shaft 37. In theembodiment illustrated, the shaft 37 and the transmission member 51 havecircular transverse cross-sections. However, proximal portion of thetransmission member 51 has a rectangular cross-section as shown in FIG.5a . In other embodiments the shaft 37 and the transmission member 51may have non-circular transverse cross-sections throughout their length.

In the present embodiment, the stem 30 further includes such featuresthat allow smooth rotation of the transmission member 51 when the dialer10 is rotated with respect to the sleeve 20. For example, as seen inFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the transmission member 51 includes two annularflanges 57 which guide rotation of the transmission member 51 withrespect to the sleeve 20.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the application member 40can adopt at least two stable configurations that is to say a firstconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9 and a second configuration asshown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10. In both the first configuration and thesecond configuration, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8; the proximal end 52 ofthe transmission member 51 is in contact with the top wall of the dialer10 such that the transmission member 51 cannot move in axial directionwith respect to the stem 30. This is in contrast to certain of the priorart, such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,561, in which a twisting motion on thecap is used to move a transmission member axially, applying a pullingforce to the applicator at the end of the shaft and thereby impartingcurvature.

During assembly of the adjustable applicator 2, as shown in FIGS. 3 and6, the application member 40 is assembled with the stem 30, transmissionmember 51, sleeve 20 and the dialer 10, in such a way that the flexiblearms 43 of the second portion 44 are slightly pulled towards the cap 4when the proximal end 52 of the transmission member 51 contacts the topwall of the dialer 10, thus the flexible arms 43 of the second portionbecome convex shaped. Thus, the second portion 44 of the applicationmember 40 has a ball shape having convex arms 43 with a gap 43 a betweenthe convex arms 43. This shape as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9 correspondsto the first stable configuration of the application member 40. In otheralternate embodiments, the flexible arms 43 can be made into a convexshape directly during molding of the application member 40.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, the application member 40 has a secondstable configuration, in which the flexible arms 43 of the secondportion 44 of the application member 40 are twisted in a helical shapewith respect to the longitudinal axis X-X. The inclusions of first andsecond stable configurations is in contrast to the disclosure of U.S.Pat. No. 8,881,745, in which an applicator is elastically deformed froma “resting” configuration to a twisted configuration, which would thusrequire the user to carefully hold the apparatus in the twistedconfiguration to prevent relaxation back to the “resting” configuration.In some examples, there is no need to apply force to the handle tomaintain either the first configuration or the second configuration,unlike prior examples that rely on elastic deformation of an applicatorto impart shape change.

In an alternate embodiment, in the second configuration, the firstportion 42 of the application member 40 may also be twisted slightly. Insuch a case where both the first portion 42 and the second portion 44are twisted in the second configuration, the ratio of twisted anglebetween the first portion and the second portion is the range of1-10:99-90. In other words, the first portion 42 may also twist, but toa lesser extent than that of the second portion 44. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the adjustable applicator 2 has the first configuration inclosed position of the cosmetic package 1. However, it would not bebeyond the scope of the present invention, if the adjustable applicator2 has the second configuration in the closed position of the cosmeticpackage 1.

During use, when the adjustable applicator is removed from the container2, it has a first configuration as shown in FIG. 4. In an open positionof the cosmetic package 1, when the dialer 10 is rotated with respect tothe sleeve 20, the transmission member 51 rotates with respect to theshaft 37 which causes twisting of the application member 40 as explainedabove. When a suitable adjustment of the profile of the applicationmember 40 has been made it will be retained while the application member40 is used. The adjustment is retained until the user intentionallyrotates the dialer 10 and the sleeve 20 with respect to each other onceagain to achieve a different adjustment.

In order to transform the profile of the application member 40 to asecond configuration as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, the dialer 10 istwisted in first direction and the rotational movement of the dialer 10is converted into rotational movement of the transmission member 51fixedly connected within the inner skirt 16 of the dialer 10. Therefore,the transmission member 51 is now able to rotate with respect to theshaft 37 of the stem 30. As the transmission member 51 is fixedly andnon-rotatably connected to the distal end/end cap 46 of the applicationmember 40, the flexible arms 43 of the second portion of the applicationmember 40 get twisted and compressed towards the transmission member 51and the application member 40 is transformed to a second configuration.The transmission member 51 can be adjusted to various relativelongitudinal positions with respect to the shaft 37 depending on degreeof twisting, such that as adjustment is made, profile of the applicationmember 40 varies. Once the adjustment is made, it will be retainedwithout any action by the user, until further adjustment is desired andintentionally made.

Further, the user can rotate the dialer 10 in an opposite direction torotate the transmission member 51 in the opposite direction with respectto the shaft 37 of the stem 30. As the transmission member 51 is rotatedin opposite direction, the flexible arms 43 again take up the convexshape and, the application member 40 is transformed again to the firstconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 9.

The material suitable for forming the application member 40 could be anyelastomeric polymer, nylon, sponge, metal etc. which possess bothflexibility and elasticity. The application member 40 and/or theapplication elements 48 may be formed of rubber, low densitypolyethylene (LDPE), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), silicone, plastic(e.g. polypropylene (PP)), fabric mesh, or any other suitable material.It is contemplated that the first portion 42, second portion 44, and/orend cap 46 may be formed from the same material or different materials,as desired. Furthermore, the application member 40 and/or theapplication elements 48 may be formed integrally (e.g. as unitarystructure) with bristles as an injection molded unit, as a series ofinstalled bristles (e.g., like a toothbrush), as a series of tiedbristles (e.g., like a pipe cleaner), or other configuration. Further,various components of the application member 40 and/or the applicationelements 48 may be over-molded as a single unit. Alternatively, ratherthan over-molding, instead, another body comprising bristles may beover-molded to an over-molded brush and tip unit without bristles.Further, end cap 46 may not be over-molded to the application member 40,and instead, the end cap may be over-molded to the transmission member51 or other stem structure.

Further, while the application member 40 has been generally described asa bristled structure, it is contemplated that the application member 40may take the form of other applicators including, but not limited to: asponge, a stick, a synthetic bristle brush (e.g., plastic, silicone,latex or composites thereof), a natural bristle brush (e.g., hair,cellulose fibers, cotton, hemp, flax or composites thereof), acombination of synthetic or natural bristles, a comb, foam, silicone, adoe foot, metallic bristles, flocking, a solid applicator member (e.g.,a paddle or spatula), etc.

The materials suitable for forming the receptacle 3 could bepolypropylene while the dialer 10, the sleeve 20, the transmissionmember 51 and the stem 30 could be formed of acrylonitrile butadienestyrene or any other suitable polymeric material. The material of thetransmission member 51 could be any polymeric material like nylon, TPE,PP or could be a suitable metal. The stem 30 may be formed of polyacetalor any other suitable polymeric material. The material for forming thewiper 8 could be low-density polyethylene. The aforementioned materialsfor forming various parts of the package of the present disclosure arean example, however other suitable materials may also be used.

Although the above description and drawings show the package beingcylindrical, the shapes and profile cross section thereof are notlimited to the same. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments ofthe present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosuremay be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and thescope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

1. An adjustable applicator for applying a product to a surface, theadjustable applicator comprising: a cap, the cap having an upper portionand a lower portion; a stem having an upper portion coupled to the lowerportion of the cap, a distal end and, having a cavity therein; anapplication member having a first portion coupled to the distal end ofthe stem, a second portion, and an end cap, the application memberincluding a hollow core; and a transmission member having a proximal endcoupled to the upper portion of the cap and a distal end coupled to theend cap of the application member, the transmission member disposedwithin the cavity of the stem and the hollow core of the applicationmember; wherein the upper portion of the cap comprises an actuator whichis actuatable to initiate a progressive modification of a shape of theapplication member from a first configuration to a second configurationwith a plurality of configurations therebetween; characterized in thatthe first and second configurations are free from elastic deformation ofthe application member.
 2. The adjustable applicator of claim 1, whereinthe actuator is a rotatable dialer.
 3. The adjustable applicator ofclaim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the transmissionmember about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator.
 4. Theadjustable applicator of claim 1, wherein the second portion of theapplication member comprises a first flexible arm and a second flexiblearm, the first and second flexible arms extending from a distal end ofthe first portion towards the end cap.
 5. The adjustable applicator ofclaim 4, wherein the first and second flexible arms have a convex shapein the first configuration.
 6. The adjustable applicator of claim 4,wherein in response to actuation of the actuator, the first and secondflexible arms are configured to twist in a helical shape relative to alongitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator.
 7. The adjustableapplicator of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the applicationmember is more flexible than the first portion of the applicationmember.
 8. The adjustable applicator of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of application elements molded on an outer surface of thefirst portion, the second portion, and the end cap.
 9. The adjustableapplicator of claim 1, wherein the transmission member is axially fixedrelative to the upper portion of the cap along a longitudinal axis ofthe adjustable applicator.
 10. An adjustable applicator for applying aproduct to a surface, the adjustable applicator comprising: a cap havinga dialer and a sleeve, the dialer rotatably coupled to the sleeve; astem having an upper portion coupled to the sleeve of the cap, a distalend, and having a cavity therein; a transmission member having aproximal end coupled to the dialer of the cap and a distal end, thetransmission member extending, at least in part, through the cavity ofthe stem; an application member including a plurality of applicationelements extending from an outer surface thereof, the application membercomprising: a first portion having a proximal shank configured tofixedly couple the application member to the stem and a distal portionextending to a distal end; a second portion having a first flexible arm,a second flexible arm, and a gap between the first flexible arm in thesecond flexible arm, the first and second flexible arms extendingdistally from the distal end of the first portion; and an end capfixedly secured to the distal end of the transmission member; whereinrotation of the dialer in a first direction is configured to initiate aprogressive modification of a shape of the application member between atleast a first configuration and a second configuration.
 11. Theadjustable applicator of claim 10, wherein the rotation of the dialerresults in a corresponding rotation of the transmission member about alongitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator.
 12. The adjustableapplicator of claim 10, wherein rotation of the dialer in a seconddirection opposite the first direction is configured to move theapplication member from the second configuration towards the firstconfiguration.
 13. The adjustable applicator of claim 10, wherein thefirst and second flexible arms have a convex shape in the firstconfiguration.
 14. The adjustable applicator of claim 10, wherein inresponse to rotation of the dialer in the first direction, the first andsecond flexible arms are configured to twist in a helical shape relativeto a longitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator.
 15. The adjustableapplicator of claim 13, wherein in response to rotation of the dialer ina second direction opposite the first direction, the first and secondflexible arms are configured to resume the convex shape.
 16. Theadjustable applicator of claim 10, wherein once the dialer haspositioned the application member in the first configuration or thesecond configuration, the dialer is configured to retain the applicationmember in the first configuration or the second configuration withoutany action by a user.
 17. The adjustable applicator of claim 10, whereinthe transmission member is rotatable relative to the stem.
 18. Theadjustable applicator of claim 10, wherein the dialer further comprisesan annular skirt extending from an inner surface of the top wall of thedialer towards the application member, the annular skirt having agenerally rectangular cross-section.
 19. The adjustable applicator ofclaim 18, wherein the proximal end of the transmission member is coupledwithin the annular skirt of the dialer.
 20. An adjustable applicatorsystem for applying a product to a surface, the adjustable applicatorsystem comprising: an adjustable applicator, the adjustable applicatorcomprising: a cap, the cap having an upper dialer portion and a lowersleeve portion; a stem having an upper portion coupled to the lowersleeve portion of the cap, a distal end and having a cavity therein; anapplication member having a first portion coupled to the distal end ofthe stem, a second portion, and an end cap, the application memberincluding a hollow core; and a transmission member having a proximal endcoupled to the upper portion of the cap and a distal end coupled to theend cap of the application member, the transmission member disposedwithin the cavity of the stem and the hollow core of the applicationmember; wherein the upper dialer portion of the cap is configured to berotatable relative to the lower sleeve portion to move the applicationmember from a first configuration to a second configuration and aplurality of configurations therebetween; and a receptacle configured toreceive a product, the receptacle configured to be releasably coupled tothe lower sleeve portion of the cap.